Stand up for transgender students’ civil rights

Originally posted on Action Utah. To see the original post, click here

On Wednesday night, the Trump administration withdrew protections for transgender students in public schools. Under President Obama, these protections had been established by a guidance clarifying that the prohibition of discrimination based on sex provided by Title IX (of the Education Amendments of 1972) applies to trans students. These protections included allowing trans students to use school restrooms that correspond with their gender identity and to have access to other resources provided by schools.

Less than two weeks into his tenure as Attorney General, Jeff Sessions has advised President Trump to change his stance on protecting transgender students. In a statement released Wednesday, Sessions claimed that deciding whether to apply Title IX protections to trans students should be decided at the state level. This is simply not a state’s issue, however, since Title IX must be complied with by all educational institutions that receive federal funding. This withdrawal of protections endangers transgender students and disrupts the federal government’s role in enforcing civil rights.

This measure targeting transgender youth goes back on both President Trump’s and Secretary DeVos’ promise to protect all children. DeVos caved to pressure from Sessions despite initially resisting this change. Trans youth face high rates of harassment, bullying and discrimination. These students need our support, not further marginalization. We will not stand for it.

CALL TO ACTION

Call on our U.S. Senators Hatch and Lee to ask them to publicly condemn the Trump administration’s attacks on transgender students’ civil rights. Be sure to mention that you are a constituent, to give your name and zip code, and to treat the staffers with respect.Call Senator Orrin Hatch – D.C. (202) 224-5251, UT (435) 586-8435Call Senator Mike Lee – D.C. (202) 224-5444, UT (801) 392-9633

Sign this ACLU letter to Jeff Sessions requesting the reinstatement of Title IX Guidance for trans students, trending now on our Petitions! Petitions! page.